Fender Sells Guild to U.S. Builder Cordoba Music

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announced today that it will sell the Guild brand and related assets to Cordoba Music Group, manufacturer of Cordoba acoustic guitars, ukuleles, and accessories.

“It was important for us to find a great steward to continue the important legacy of Guild guitars,” said FMIC interim CEO Scott Gilbertson. “We have found a great fit in Cordoba Music Group, a company committed to quality and with impressive U.S.-based production capabilities.”

“Guild is an iconic American brand with a rich heritage and we’re truly excited and honored to be the ones to move it forward. It’s a great complement to our current position in the acoustic guitar market and provides opportunities for growth in new categories,” said Cordoba Music Group President Jonathan Thomas. “We will continue to make instruments of exceptional quality in the USA, and look forward to giving one of the industry’s great American brands a new home.”

Sales of Guild guitars will continue during the transition. Cordoba will produce the instruments in Oxnard, California.

Guild was founded in New York in 1953 by Alfred Dronge. The brand became part of FMIC in 1995.